Good - better - best? (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - J. K. Rowling)

Member Name: tairrie

Product:	Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - J. K. Rowling
Date:	14/12/00 (90 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: brilliantly written, fascinating story and characters,...

Disadvantages: scray parts (for children)

It seems that not only the number of pages of the Harry Potter volumes seems to be increasing each time they also seem to get better volume by volume, one can hardly stop reading and when you're through you wait for the next one. Finally I start to understand what makes children queue outside bookstores for hours just to make sure they get a copy of the latest Harry Potter...

This one is probably the most scary of the first three volumes. It starts with Harry's holidays at the Dursleys' and - as always - Harry has a bad time. Although not allowed to use magic during the holidays, Harry is provoked to use it against his aunt. Fearing to be expelled from Hogwarts, Harry decides to escape and takes a ride on the "Knight Bus" to London.

Strangely enough he is forgiven and allowed to stay at a pub on Diagon Alley. People start behaving strangely towards him, they seem to be very protective...but why?

Dramatic events shake the wizarding world (and even the Muggle world), a convicted murderer and supposed madman, Sirius Black, is on the loose. He escaped the wizard prison of Azcaban. What - or who - is he after?

The Ministry of Magic has imposed strict security measures, the infamous "Dementors", the Azcaban prison guards patrol the school grounds.

Harry is having a bad time because he is the only third year who is not allowed on the occasional trips to Hogsmeade, a wizard village near Hogwarts because he couldn't get his uncle Vernon to sign the necessary form. Of course Harry Potter wouldn't be Harry Potter if he didn't try to get there anyway.

A new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher has taken up work at Hogwarts - and although he is the best they ever had there seems to be some secret about him. Hagrid, too has got a job as a teacher - Care for Magical Creatures but his first lesson gets him into trouble. Ron, Hermione and Harry try to help.

Will Gryffindor
win the Quidditch Cup this time? It seems unlikely at first, Harry has an accident and loses his broom. He is sent a brandnew broom by an unknown benefactor (and WHAT a broom). But is it safe to use it? Who is the mysterious person who sent it?

The dementors and Sirius Black are probably a bit scary for younger children but still better than some of the stuff they could see on TV...

I don't want to reveal too much of the story, you simply have to read for yourselves. It's a good read, very enjoyable, not only for children. Can't wait to read the "Goblet of fire", haven't bought it yet...

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